Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
7-4 , 4-3
Georgia Southern
5-6 , 2-5
Herd Bowl Eligible After 23-10 Win at Georgia Southern
11/19/2022 10:16:00 PM | Football
Fancher creates three touchdowns in road victory
STATESBORO, Ga.- When junior linebacker Eli Neal picked off the Georgia Southern quarterback with exactly 11 minutes remaining in the contest, the 16,153 home fans at Paulson Stadium likely thought there were more opportunities for the Eagles offense to make up their 23-10 deficit.
The problem is that Marshall would ice the game away, the Herd held the ball for the next 10:49 to essentially finish off the game.Â
The Marshall (7-4, 4-3 Sun Belt) offense wasted no time getting on the board early. Starting freshman quarterback Cam Fancher connected with redshirt sophomore E.J. Horton for a 65 yard passing touchdown on the fourth offensive snap of the game, giving the Herd a quick 6-0 lead. The quick score represented the longest passing touchdown of the freshman's career. Â
Georgia Southern (5-6, 2-5 Sun Belt) hit a 46 yard field goal with 4:31 remaining in the opening quarter to trim the deficit to 7-3. The Eagles' Marcus Sanders, Jr. rushed for over 100 yards in the first, remarkably becoming the first individual to surpass 100 rushing yards against the Herd all season.
Then the Marshall offense erupted from there.Â
Fancher and the offense turned up the intensity in the second quarter. The Huber Heights, Ohio native found Shadeed Ahmed for a 33 yard touchdown pass to cap a seven-play, 64 yard drive to put the visitors in front, 13-3.
Following a Damion Barber, Jr. fumble recovery, Fancher found the end zone for the third time. The quarterback who entered Saturday's game with 427 rushing yards, reached the end zone with his legs from 19 yards out to give Marshall the 20-3 lead. The Herd led 20-10 at the break.   Â
The Marshall defense returned to its dominant form in the second half, allowing no points and just 138 total yards in the second half.Â
Neal led the defense with 11 total tackles and the interception to essentially seal the contest.
Famcher remained efficient in the second half, finishing 17-32, with 274 yards and the three total scores. The seven wins official makes the Herd bowl eligible.Â
Marshall returns home for Senior Day next Saturday, November 26. Kickoff against the Georgia State Panthers will be at noon at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.Â
Team Stats
MU 6, GS 0
MU - Horton,EJ 65 yd pass from Fancher,Cam () 4 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:21
MU 6, GS 3
GS - Raynor,Alex 46 yd field goal 7 plays, 67 yards, TOP 02:58
MU 13, GS 3
MU - Ahmed,Shadeed 33 yd pass from Fancher,Cam (Verhoff,Rece kick) 7 plays, 64 yards, TOP 02:22
MU 20, GS 3
MU - Fancher,Cam 19 yd run (Verhoff,Rece kick), 5 plays, 57 yards, TOP 01:20
MU 20, GS 10
GS - Hood,Khaleb 27 yd pass from Vantrease,Kyle (Raynor,Alex kick) 8 plays, 85 yards, TOP 02:23
MU 23, GS 10
MU - Verhoff,Rece 36 yd field goal 15 plays, 65 yards, TOP 05:23
